McFarlane Toys will be releasing a MÖTLEY CRÜE action-figure "Deluxe Boxed Set" in November 2004. Several photos of the CRÜE toys can be viewed at this location. The brainchild of Grammy- and Emmy-winning producer/director Todd McFarlane (creator of Spawn and founder of Spawn.com), Tempe, Arizona-based McFarlane Toys has several successful music lines, including ...

Ozzy Osbourne's wife/manager Sharon Osbourne has issued the following statement regarding Ozzy's no-show at the Ozzfest stop in Camden, NJ on August 26: "To those who attended the Ozzfest show in Camden on August 26, "I would like to address the few complaints that have arisen from BLACK SABBATH’s performance with Rob Halford [JUDAS PRIEST] ...

Chicago death/thrash lords USURPER have completed work on their fifth full-length album, "Cryptobeast". Recorded at Chicago's Rax Trax Studios with producer Neil Kernon (JUDAS PRIEST, DEICIDE, CANNIBAL CORPSE), "Cryptobeast" marks the recording debut with the group of new singer Dan "Tyrantor" Lawson and the return of the band's original drummer, Joe "Apocalyptic" Warlord. Commented singer ...

METALLICA frontman James Hetfield spoke to Scoop of the Columbus, Ohio radio station The Blitz 99.7 FM prior to the band's show in Chicago last Friday (Aug. 27). A couple of excerpts from the interview follow: Scoop: What kind of metal, what kind of tunes are you listening to right now? Have you heard MASTODON? ...

British grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH are currently preparing to record their forthcoming studio album. Commenting on why the band chose to record in Wales, vocalist Barney Greenway had this to say: "The studio is called Foel Studios in the town of Foel, North Wales (PORCUPINE TREE, OZRIC TENTACLES), and is owned by the original bass ...

A 55-minute audio interview with JUDAS PRIEST, recorded last month during the band's appearance on the "Friday Night Rocks" show on New York's Q104.3 FM, has been made available for download. Check it out: Part#1 (mp3, 8.9 MB), Part#2 (mp3, 10.9 MB). JUDAS PRIEST's much-anticipated new studio album is scheduled for ...

Norwegian black metallers GORGOROTH have recruited drummer Dirge Rep (ORCUSTUS, ex-ENSLAVED, GEHENNA) and guitarist Teloch (ORCUSTUS, NIDINGR) as session musicians for their upcoming European and Mexican tours. GORGOROTH will embark on the "Twilight of the Idols" European headlining tour in early October. Support at all shows will come from 1349, the Norwegian group featuring SATYRICON ...

Relapse Records recording artists MASTODON and PIG DESTROYER have been named amongst Revolver magazine's 10 "Future of American Metal" bands. Revolver's 10 "Future of American Metal" acts were determined via a poll of the editors and contributing writers at the noted magazine. MASTODON and PIG DESTROYER join an impressive list of Revolver's fast-rising heavy music ...

The Boston Globe is reporting that Candide Media Works has created a cellphone tour of Boston that has AEROSMITH frontman Steven Tyler leading the way. Called "Boston: City of Rebels & Dreamers", the so-called Talking Street tour hits 17 landmarks and includes stories, commentary, and eyewitness accounts of the historic sites. Highlights include a visit ...